Simultaneous Quantification Of Terpenoids And Phenolic Compounds In Cannabis Sativa Using HPLC And LC-MS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/ejac.v20i1.1174Keywords:
Cannabis sativa, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, HPLC, LC-MS, phytochemical quantificationAbstract
Cannabis sativa is a phytochemically rich plant widely recognized for its medicinal, nutritional, and industrial value. Among its diverse bioactive constituents, terpenoids and phenolic compounds play crucial roles in modulating pharmacological effects and contributing to the plant’s therapeutic potential. The present study aimed to develop and validate a method for the simultaneous quantification of major terpenoids and phenolic compounds in Cannabis sativa using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
Methanolic extracts of C. sativa inflorescences were analyzed through HPLC equipped with dual-wavelength detection (210 nm for terpenoids and 320 nm for phenolics), followed by LC-MS operated in both positive and negative ionization modes for compound confirmation. A total of ten terpenoids—including myrcene (1.26 ± 0.04 mg/g DW), limonene (0.94 ± 0.03 mg/g DW), and β-caryophyllene (0.65 ± 0.02 mg/g DW)—and nine phenolic compounds—such as cannflavin A (1.12 ± 0.05 mg/g DW), quercetin (1.35 ± 0.04 mg/g DW), and caffeic acid (0.52 ± 0.02 mg/g DW)—were successfully quantified.
This integrated analytical strategy offers a robust and efficient platform for comprehensive phytochemical profiling of Cannabis sativa. The ability to simultaneously assess multiple compound classes enhances quality control, supports chemotaxonomic classification, and provides a foundation for developing standardized cannabis-based products with defined therapeutic profiles.
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